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CPG REFUGEE SUPPORT FUND
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Our task as a parish community is ‘to make the Kingdom of God present in our world’ (Pope Francis). We are called to embody Christ-like love for all and especially to those who are poor or excluded or face injustice. Our concern is both for those in our own community and for our wider society and our global community.
The CPG Refugee Support Fund was established to respond to this call. Below you will find information about the Fund’s activities and its aspirations for future action |
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DINNER 2021
The Fund held the fundraising Spanish themed Dinner at St Pius on 6 November. It was attended by over fifty CPG parishioners and two invited guests – Diane Peters (Refugee Adviser to the Anglican Diocese of Guildford) and Huda al-Hassan (from the Family Support Team at Guildford Borough Council). Alan Hughes gave a presentation on the recent activity of the Fund and its intentions for the future. Over £3,200 was raised at the Dinner – a magnificent testimony to the enduring generosity of our parishioners. The Friends of RSF (see more below) has been inaugurated. Everyone is welcome to join this group for information and potential volunteering.
Background
For several years, following the refugee crisis in 2015, a group of parishioners have held fundraising dinners to provide support for refugees, particularly from Syria. Initially the proceeds of the fundraising events were donated to the diocesan Migrant Fund but it was then decided to try and engage in direct action in the Parish and support the objective of finding a home in Guildford for another Syrian refugee family to be resettled under the Government Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. Guildford Borough Council administers the Scheme locally and until recently provided certain financial and other support.
Although eight families have been resettled in Guildford under the Scheme between 2016 and 2018, the Council decided that it no longer had sufficient funds available to increase the number of refugees that it could support. Consequently the ambition of assisting the resettlement of a further family under the Scheme was no longer open and the group’s endeavour was refocused towards provision of support for those refugee families who were already established in Guildford.
Accordingly, the CPG Refugee Support Fund was set up for the purpose of providing direct financial support to refugees currently settled in the Borough, many of whom have found it difficult to cope for a number of reasons. The Fund works closely with the Anglican Diocese of Guildford which has played a major role in ministering to the needs of the refugee families who have settled in the area.
Recent fundraising
In the latter half of 2018, the resources available to the Fund amounted to approximately £3,000 arising in large measure from the generosity of those who attended the 2018 Refugee Dinner.
On 19th October 2019 a dinner was held at which a further £1,910 was raised. The meal was a delicious example of Syrian food and was prepared by a Syrian refugee family.
To accompany the dinner a Craft Sale was held on 19th and 20th October where a delightful array of original designs were on sale and a further £193 was raised.
What has been spent
In order to carry out the changed approach, procedures were set up under which applications could be received for financial support for refugee families. Applications to finance the purchase of specific items are sent in by the Family Support Team at GBC who work with the families and are then considered for suitability by the RSF team and all approvals for expenditure must be endorsed by the CPG Finance Committee. Based on the applications received to date, it is clear that most of the funding is aimed at assisting provision for the children of the families. Most of the expenditure relates to purchase of essential household goods and children's clothing and footwear. More recently grocery vouchers have been supplied, supplemented by vouchers provided by the SVP. The fund has been able to meet all requests that have come through.
Non-financial support
In addition to financial support, there are other ways in which assistance can be provided to the refugee families. There are opportunities for volunteers to take on a number of practical roles designed to facilitate the ordinary living requirements of families who often have little English and, consequently, have considerable difficulty in coping with life in an unfamiliar environment and making progress to independent living. The Fund Team can act to assist with finding tasks for volunteers to perform, subject to usual safeguarding requirements.
A major contribution to the viability of the lives of the families has been the provision of laptops by parishioners and by The Guildford Lions Club.
Future support for the families
In the main the eight families supported in Guildford under the Scheme are progressing in establishing their homes here and learning the necessary skills to live within the community and find employment. However, the essential financial support available under the Scheme tapers over a five year period and will cease this year for four families and will cease in 2022/3 for the other four families. Clearly replacement support will be needed which may not be covered by available Government support from other sources. It is envisaged that the RSF will need to provide a measure of financial support for the foreseeable future.
Is the Refugee Crisis Over?
The refugee crisis which came to a head in 2015 has lasting repercussions and the number of displaced people around the world continues to grow. In recent times the attention given to the pandemic and certain aspects of the climate crisis may have diminished the focus of compassion towards the plight of involuntary migrants.
In Britain there is a political dimension to the arrival of refugees which may reduce the willingness of people to provide a welcome and sustain the newcomers with essential support. But the turbulent circumstances of the withdrawal of troops and others from Afghanistan has produced a new wave of sympathy and desire to help that is being channelled by a combination of government and voluntary sector initiatives.
What can we do?
The unflagging generosity of the people of Guildford manifests itself in many ways and through a host of organisations dedicated to the support of the less fortunate, including displaced people.
The CPG Refugee Support Fund intends to
It is envisaged that calls for funds will diminish over time but for now the intention is to continue support for four Syrian families during the remainder of the period of their inclusion in the Scheme which ends in 2023.
Support for the Afghan families
There are currently two Government schemes
Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was established in April before the crisis of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. It is intended to assist those who worked for the Government alongside our armed forces. Some 7,000 people are expected to be resettled in the UK. So far GBC has found homes for 2 families, who are expected to arrive shortly
Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) was established in September in the wake of the withdrawal crisis. So far 15,000 of those deemed most at risk have been evacuated and perhaps, in time, more may be able to come. The intention is to resettle 20,000, with some 5,000 in the first year
At least three properties have already been sourced in Guildford and offered to GBC. Participation by any local authority is dependent on the extent of funding available from central Government so GBC has yet to make and announce a decision on its possible involvement.
Potential Community Sponsorship Project
A Scheme to assist the resettlement of refugees was launched by the Home Office in 2016 under which community groups undertake to resettle and support a family for a minimum of two years. The RSF Team originally considered undertaking a Community Support Project but decided it had insufficient experience at that time to fulfil a significant commitment.
With the benefit of the experience gained over the last few years, the establishment of collaboration with others and the confidence that donor support will be available, the RSF Team is now proposing the exploration of carrying out a Community Support Project in Guildford. For this purpose a Group will be established including CPG and other churches from the Anglican Diocese in the vicinity.
At the outset a small team will be formed with representation from all participating churches to manage the Project. A wider group of volunteers will be established to perform the various roles that are required to implement the Project and carry through the support in various phases.
So far more than 300 such groups have been formed in the UK including one in Guildford and others may be added before long. Of these, over 100 already support families.
The aim is to support one family in all its needs to establish it in a new home, which will include a wide variety of requirements, such as housing, familiarisation with local facilities, education and language teaching and everything that goes with learning to live in an unfamiliar place and a different culture.
The minimum funding required to start the Project is £9,000 and it is realistically assumed that over the resettlement period as much as £20,000 may be needed to provide the necessary support, especially as we live in an area of expensive housing.
The approach being adopted by the RSF Team is to assume that this Project will go ahead and that a family in need will be identified for resettlement before long. So development of the collaboration between CPG and the Anglican Diocese of Guildford with this objective will proceed with the target of achieving a resettlement as soon as circumstances permit.
Friends of RSF
We have outlined above a suitably ambitious programme of action designed to call upon the volunteering and financial resources of the people of CPG and the other parishes who will be directly involved.
Whilst it will be fruitful to communicate news of progress to the community at large in the usual way, the RSF Team feels that it would be appropriate to establish a cohort of people within CPG who would like to be kept informed of what is happening as it is hoped that there will be regular bulletins. We would like to think of them as the “Friends of the RSF” and be able to create a list within the confidential system of CPG.
Although the bulletins will, when appropriate give details of fundraising events, the mechanism of the Friends of the RSF will not be used as a means of soliciting funds. However, although normal networking often provides the necessary response, there may be occasion when a particular skill or experience would be needed for the family and we would feel at liberty to share that need with the Friends.
As is usual, there would be the ability to unsubscribe from the email list of the Friends at any time – and to come back!
RSF TEAM
Many people will appreciate that the origin of this effort within CPG on behalf of refugees lies in the efforts of Catherine and Alan Hughes. We are interested to hear from anyone who may wish to join the team or to find out more about the Fund, its ambitions and who else is involved from CPG. Please contact them on 01483 826124 or email catherineandalanhughes@gmail.com
Background
For several years, following the refugee crisis in 2015, a group of parishioners have held fundraising dinners to provide support for refugees, particularly from Syria. Initially the proceeds of the fundraising events were donated to the diocesan Migrant Fund but it was then decided to try and engage in direct action in the Parish and support the objective of finding a home in Guildford for another Syrian refugee family to be resettled under the Government Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. Guildford Borough Council administers the Scheme locally and until recently provided certain financial and other support.
Although eight families have been resettled in Guildford under the Scheme between 2016 and 2018, the Council decided that it no longer had sufficient funds available to increase the number of refugees that it could support. Consequently the ambition of assisting the resettlement of a further family under the Scheme was no longer open and the group’s endeavour was refocused towards provision of support for those refugee families who were already established in Guildford.
Accordingly, the CPG Refugee Support Fund was set up for the purpose of providing direct financial support to refugees currently settled in the Borough, many of whom have found it difficult to cope for a number of reasons. The Fund works closely with the Anglican Diocese of Guildford which has played a major role in ministering to the needs of the refugee families who have settled in the area.
Recent fundraising
In the latter half of 2018, the resources available to the Fund amounted to approximately £3,000 arising in large measure from the generosity of those who attended the 2018 Refugee Dinner.
On 19th October 2019 a dinner was held at which a further £1,910 was raised. The meal was a delicious example of Syrian food and was prepared by a Syrian refugee family.
To accompany the dinner a Craft Sale was held on 19th and 20th October where a delightful array of original designs were on sale and a further £193 was raised.
What has been spent
In order to carry out the changed approach, procedures were set up under which applications could be received for financial support for refugee families. Applications to finance the purchase of specific items are sent in by the Family Support Team at GBC who work with the families and are then considered for suitability by the RSF team and all approvals for expenditure must be endorsed by the CPG Finance Committee. Based on the applications received to date, it is clear that most of the funding is aimed at assisting provision for the children of the families. Most of the expenditure relates to purchase of essential household goods and children's clothing and footwear. More recently grocery vouchers have been supplied, supplemented by vouchers provided by the SVP. The fund has been able to meet all requests that have come through.
Non-financial support
In addition to financial support, there are other ways in which assistance can be provided to the refugee families. There are opportunities for volunteers to take on a number of practical roles designed to facilitate the ordinary living requirements of families who often have little English and, consequently, have considerable difficulty in coping with life in an unfamiliar environment and making progress to independent living. The Fund Team can act to assist with finding tasks for volunteers to perform, subject to usual safeguarding requirements.
A major contribution to the viability of the lives of the families has been the provision of laptops by parishioners and by The Guildford Lions Club.
Future support for the families
In the main the eight families supported in Guildford under the Scheme are progressing in establishing their homes here and learning the necessary skills to live within the community and find employment. However, the essential financial support available under the Scheme tapers over a five year period and will cease this year for four families and will cease in 2022/3 for the other four families. Clearly replacement support will be needed which may not be covered by available Government support from other sources. It is envisaged that the RSF will need to provide a measure of financial support for the foreseeable future.
Is the Refugee Crisis Over?
The refugee crisis which came to a head in 2015 has lasting repercussions and the number of displaced people around the world continues to grow. In recent times the attention given to the pandemic and certain aspects of the climate crisis may have diminished the focus of compassion towards the plight of involuntary migrants.
In Britain there is a political dimension to the arrival of refugees which may reduce the willingness of people to provide a welcome and sustain the newcomers with essential support. But the turbulent circumstances of the withdrawal of troops and others from Afghanistan has produced a new wave of sympathy and desire to help that is being channelled by a combination of government and voluntary sector initiatives.
What can we do?
The unflagging generosity of the people of Guildford manifests itself in many ways and through a host of organisations dedicated to the support of the less fortunate, including displaced people.
The CPG Refugee Support Fund intends to
- Continue support for the Syrian families remaining on the Scheme in Guildford
- Commence support for the Afghan families arriving in Guildford
- Plan a potential Community Sponsorship Project in collaboration with the Anglican Church
It is envisaged that calls for funds will diminish over time but for now the intention is to continue support for four Syrian families during the remainder of the period of their inclusion in the Scheme which ends in 2023.
Support for the Afghan families
There are currently two Government schemes
Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) was established in April before the crisis of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. It is intended to assist those who worked for the Government alongside our armed forces. Some 7,000 people are expected to be resettled in the UK. So far GBC has found homes for 2 families, who are expected to arrive shortly
Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) was established in September in the wake of the withdrawal crisis. So far 15,000 of those deemed most at risk have been evacuated and perhaps, in time, more may be able to come. The intention is to resettle 20,000, with some 5,000 in the first year
At least three properties have already been sourced in Guildford and offered to GBC. Participation by any local authority is dependent on the extent of funding available from central Government so GBC has yet to make and announce a decision on its possible involvement.
Potential Community Sponsorship Project
A Scheme to assist the resettlement of refugees was launched by the Home Office in 2016 under which community groups undertake to resettle and support a family for a minimum of two years. The RSF Team originally considered undertaking a Community Support Project but decided it had insufficient experience at that time to fulfil a significant commitment.
With the benefit of the experience gained over the last few years, the establishment of collaboration with others and the confidence that donor support will be available, the RSF Team is now proposing the exploration of carrying out a Community Support Project in Guildford. For this purpose a Group will be established including CPG and other churches from the Anglican Diocese in the vicinity.
At the outset a small team will be formed with representation from all participating churches to manage the Project. A wider group of volunteers will be established to perform the various roles that are required to implement the Project and carry through the support in various phases.
So far more than 300 such groups have been formed in the UK including one in Guildford and others may be added before long. Of these, over 100 already support families.
The aim is to support one family in all its needs to establish it in a new home, which will include a wide variety of requirements, such as housing, familiarisation with local facilities, education and language teaching and everything that goes with learning to live in an unfamiliar place and a different culture.
The minimum funding required to start the Project is £9,000 and it is realistically assumed that over the resettlement period as much as £20,000 may be needed to provide the necessary support, especially as we live in an area of expensive housing.
The approach being adopted by the RSF Team is to assume that this Project will go ahead and that a family in need will be identified for resettlement before long. So development of the collaboration between CPG and the Anglican Diocese of Guildford with this objective will proceed with the target of achieving a resettlement as soon as circumstances permit.
Friends of RSF
We have outlined above a suitably ambitious programme of action designed to call upon the volunteering and financial resources of the people of CPG and the other parishes who will be directly involved.
Whilst it will be fruitful to communicate news of progress to the community at large in the usual way, the RSF Team feels that it would be appropriate to establish a cohort of people within CPG who would like to be kept informed of what is happening as it is hoped that there will be regular bulletins. We would like to think of them as the “Friends of the RSF” and be able to create a list within the confidential system of CPG.
Although the bulletins will, when appropriate give details of fundraising events, the mechanism of the Friends of the RSF will not be used as a means of soliciting funds. However, although normal networking often provides the necessary response, there may be occasion when a particular skill or experience would be needed for the family and we would feel at liberty to share that need with the Friends.
As is usual, there would be the ability to unsubscribe from the email list of the Friends at any time – and to come back!
RSF TEAM
Many people will appreciate that the origin of this effort within CPG on behalf of refugees lies in the efforts of Catherine and Alan Hughes. We are interested to hear from anyone who may wish to join the team or to find out more about the Fund, its ambitions and who else is involved from CPG. Please contact them on 01483 826124 or email catherineandalanhughes@gmail.com